Modular Food Carrier with Interlocking Components for Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food and drink carriers lack flexibility and rigidity to accommodate various combinations and sizes of items, often disconnecting under heavy loads or failing to adapt to different configurations.
Innovation Solution
A modular carrier system composed of interconnected components with a locking mechanism and buttress support, allowing for customizable configurations and secure interlocking to handle diverse food and drink items, featuring a protrusion and slot system and accordion panel design for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connectable-type carriers are used to allow multiple carriers to be connected together, then the versatility and adaptability of the carrier system is improved, but the connection rigidity and structural stability deteriorate, causing carriers to disconnect under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier system is divided into modular components (carrier bodies, dividers, inserts) that can be independently selected and combined. Each component maintains structural integrity while allowing flexible assembly into different configurations based on loading requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller modular components such as dividers and inserts are nested within the carrier body structure. Dividers are positioned within the carrier to create compartments, and inserts are placed within dividers to hold specific items, creating a hierarchical nested arrangement that optimizes space and strength.
2Ease of operation
If modular components are connected in a partially overlapping manner, then the ease of assembly and customization is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlapping portions of modular components are designed with standardized features that serve multiple functions: providing structural connection between components, enabling nested arrangement of dividers and inserts, and facilitating easy assembly through intuitive alignment. This universal design reduces the need for specialized manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular food and/or drink carrier is provided. The modular carrier can be formed from one or more modular components that are interconnected together. Each modular carrier includes a receiving portion for receiving food and/or drink items and an overlapping portion for connecting to another modular component. Each modular component includes a first locking means formed from a protrusion and slot and a second locking means formed from an accordion component and a receiving slot. The first and second locking means provided on a first modular component interlock together with the first and second locking means provided on a second modular component when the two modular components are connected together. Each modular component can include a buttress support means that engages a portion of another modular component to provide additional support to the modular carrier when the two modular components are connected together.